Sometimes we just need to shut up

By Darrin Friedman

(An open letter)

Dear REALTOR:

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last 20 hours, President Obama gave his State of Health Care speech last night, and unless you are a corpse you most likely have an opinion about the subject, and the opinion surrounding the heckle from a congressman from South Carloina.

It seems people, regardless of background and profession, seem are all heated up and any criticism of public apathy in regard to politics seems like the long forgotten distant past.  So, when I turned off the TV last night and checked Facebook and Twitter for the last time before bed, I was amazed at the very honest and raw feelings of my friends that make up real estate community in which we participate.  

It's not that I was surtprised tht pepple were pissed.  I expected it.  I mean regardless of sides, people are hot.  On the other hand my surprise was that people were be so "raw", so angry, in such a public forum; a forum we all use for personal marketing and sphere outreach.

It just shocked me.

Now, maybe I'm being too cautious, but when I use these platforms I try to remember that what I say is out there for ever.  I try to remember that being in sales is about being a chameleon and that alienating anyone is at best unwise.

I know what you're thinking..."Darrin, how can you be so cold?"  "Don't you care?"

Sure.  I care like everyone else cares.  I'm passionate about my beliefs just as you.  The point is I don't tell half the online world what they are.

Why?  Because someone out there is going to want to buy a house and maybe he doesn't think the way I think - and you know what? I still want to sell that guy a house!  What it comes down to is socail media is a wonderful vehicle to meet people you otherwise would not have met, and to develop relationships that matter - but until you know each other better, sometimes, you just need to shut up!

Anyway, happy fall market!

Sincerely,

Darrin